The knowledge he has gained through the Sportsmetrics program is sorely needed in rehab. Untrained female athletes experience ACL injuries at a rate of four to six times that of male athletes, Herbert said. One in every 10 collegiate female athletes sustains a knee ligament injury, while one in every 100 female high school students sustains a serious knee ligament injury.

The certification program includes focuses on agility, flexibility, conditioning and jumping drills, Herbert said. So now, when female patients come to Adventist Paulson Rehab Willowbrook to receive physical therapy for these injuries, they will also learn how to prevent re-injury.

Techniques Herbert learned with the Sportsmetrics program will not supplant a surgeon’s prevention program for patients. But, because many of the principles are similar, it is possible to integrate them, he said.

“The Sportsmetrics program will allow me to work with almost any athlete,” Herbert said.

During his time with Adventist Paulson, Herbert has advanced his knowledge and skills, much to the benefit of his patients, said Karen S. King, manager of Adventist Paulson Rehab.

“John’s dedication to excellence in whole-person patient care and injury prevention was once again obvious in his personal commitment and self-funding of a significant portion of this certification,” King said.

As a college athlete and biology major, Herbert became keenly interested in the body’s physiology, especially body performance and injury prevention. But when Herbert watched a therapist help his grandmother through physical therapy, Herbert knew he’d found his career.

He subsequently received his bachelors of science degree in physical therapy at Ball State University in Indiana in 1983 and his masters of health sciences degree in physical therapy from University of Indianapolis in 1994.

While Herbert specializes in orthopedic and sports injuries and has 30 years of clinical experience, he is also certified in personal training, exercise and strength and conditioning.

During his time with Adventist Paulson Rehab, Herbert has been very pleased with the personalized one-on-one, 45-minute treatment sessions he can provide his individual patients and the attention it allows him to give to each.“We’re able to focus on just one person at a time,” he said. “You don’t find that everywhere.”